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At AutoSolve, brake service is one of the most common repairs our technicians perform daily. While brake service or replacement is inevitable, there are many ways to maintain your brakes and prolong a trip to the mechanic. Proper brake maintenance is easy—if you know what to look and listen for.
Let’s take a look at how to make your brakes last longer, how to recognize when you need maintenance, and the different types of brake services AutoSolve may perform.
How Do Disc Brakes Work?
Before we get into proper brake maintenance, it’s important to understand the different parts involved. Most drivers are only familiar with the part they interact with when braking: the pedal. In reality, your vehicle’s brakes are comprised of many components that work together to stop your car at a moment’s notice. Within a braking system, we have the pedal, master cylinder, wheel cylinders, pistons, pads, rotors, metal tubes, and flexible hoses that move essential liquids. Many modern cars also have sensors that alert drivers of worn brakes or work with ABS systems.
When you press the pedal, you should immediately feel the brakes engage. As you press down, hydraulic fluid in the brake lines pressurizes, which engages the pistons and pushes the pads onto the rotor. Pressing the brake pedal harder creates more pressure within the brake lines, causing the pistons to push the pads against the rotor more firmly. When you remove your foot from the pedal, the hydraulic fluid depressurizes, and the pads retract slightly into the calipers.
Disc Brake Care
Understandably, most drivers don’t feel comfortable performing brake repairs or replacements themselves. At AutoSolve, we don’t advise you to try this work yourself unless you have the experience. Many modern cars have sensors that need to be recalibrated by a mechanic to ensure they continue to work properly after service. That said, there are many things you can do to prolong the life of your brakes and save money on maintenance.
Don’t Slam on the Brakes!
Brakes are essential for safe driving. This includes avoiding sudden collisions, and sometimes, sudden braking is unavoidable. Whenever possible, you should brake gently and come to a rolling stop. Continuous sudden braking can warp your brake discs, increase wear on other parts, and lower your vehicle’s performance and comfort.
The Importance of Brake Fluid
Your brake fluid plays a crucial role in stopping your vehicle. Brake fluid doesn’t last forever and needs to be replaced periodically. As you drive, fluid can absorb water from the air and accumulate debris. Some car manufacturers include this service in your scheduled maintenance, while others specify a certain mileage. Checking your owner’s manual is essential, but replacing brake fluid every other year is a good rule of thumb.
When it comes to brake fluid, keeping it clean is far more important than opting for a premium variety. Specialty brake fluids are designed for severe conditions and generally won’t benefit the average driver much.
Listen to Your Brakes
Your brakes will typically let you know when they need service. Depending on the issue, you may notice hissing or squealing when pressing the brake pedal. A sharp hiss usually indicates low brake fluid. Monitor your brakes’ response time and drive cautiously until you can replace the fluid.
Brake squealing is a familiar sound for many drivers. Your brake pads stop your vehicle by making contact with the rotor. Over time, this contact wears down your pads, necessitating a replacement. It’s recommended to change your brake pads when the friction material reaches its minimum thickness of about 3 mm. This is also when you’ll begin to hear the familiar squeal, which is a warning sound indicating it’s time for a replacement. As the pads wear, a metal tab is exposed and rubs against the rotor to alert drivers.
You’ll want to visit AutoSolve to have your pads replaced before your calipers make contact with the rotors, as this can lead to costly repairs.
Common Questions About Disc Brake Maintenance
Service or replace? If your car’s brake pads are near their minimum thickness or damaged, it’s often cheaper to replace them. When you visit AutoSolve, we’ll explain how long your brakes will last if serviced, the price difference, and any safety risks to help you make the best decision.
How long do brakes last? On average, disc brakes last between 50,000 and 80,000 kilometers before needing replacement.
How much is brake service? Contact AutoSolve to discuss costs for your make and model. If your brake discs or drums are rusted, warped, or worn unevenly, we may suggest machining them. We’ll always discuss any associated costs before performing any services.
Do I have to service all my brakes at once? It’s best practice to inspect all brakes simultaneously to ensure no issues go unnoticed. To ensure even wear, brakes on the same axle should always be serviced together. Uneven wear can cause steering vibration and pulsating when braking.
Proper brake maintenance keeps you safe on the road and saves money on repairs in the long run. If you suspect an issue with your brakes or just need scheduled maintenance, don’t wait! Contact AutoSolve today—we’re always happy to help!
